Speckle imaging device, speckle imaging system, and speckle imaging method

ABSTRACT

The present technology provides a speckle imaging device including: an irradiation condition setting unit that sets an irradiation condition for coherent light with which an imaging object is irradiated; an imaging unit that captures scattered light obtained from the imaging object irradiated with the coherent light; an image generation unit that generates a speckle-enhanced image from a captured image captured by the imaging unit; and a leveling processing unit that generates a leveled speckle image from speckle-enhanced images corresponding to two or more different irradiation conditions.

CROSS-REFERENCE PARAGRAPH

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/547,303, filed Jul. 28, 2017, which is anational stage entry of PCT/JP2016/050910, filed Jan. 14, 2016, andclaims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application JP2015-029951, filed Feb. 18, 2015, the entire content of which is herebyincorporated by reference. Each of the above-referenced applications ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to a speckle imaging device. Inparticular, the present technology relates to a speckle imaging device,a speckle imaging system, and a speckle imaging method for utilizingspeckles generated by irradiation of light to an imaging object.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a method for acquiring an X-ray image by injecting a contrastmedium into a blood vessel is used for confirming the state and positionof the blood vessel in a body. In addition, in recent years, anangiography method for obtaining a tertiary image has also beendeveloped. Examples of the angiography method include computedtomography (CT) angiography and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).

In addition, a method for capturing a channel such as a blood vesselusing an optical technique has also been conventionally proposed (referto Patent Document 1). In an imaging system described in Patent Document1, an interference light image is captured at a first timing usinginterference light which is light emitted from a light emission unit andreflected by an object, and a light emission image of light emitted fromthe object is captured at a second timing. Furthermore, a method forimproving positional accuracy of a blood vessel using an image processhas also been proposed (refer to Patent Document 2).

As described above, in recent years, various methods with the use ofoptical techniques have been developed in the medical field and thelike, and detection accuracy thereof has also been increasing year byyear. For example, Patent Document 3 discloses a technology forimproving signal detection accuracy by having an optical means forgenerating a plurality of beams in a laser doppler perfusion imagingdevice including a laser light source, an image detector, and a signaldetector.

Incidentally, in relation to the imaging technologies with the use ofoptical techniques, a reduction in the detection accuracy caused byoccurrence of various noises is a matter of concern, and speckleinterference is known as one of the noises. The speckle interference isa phenomenon in which a spotty swaying pattern appears on an irradiatedsurface in accordance with an uneven shape of the irradiated surface.

A technology for suppressing the speckle noise has also been developed.For example, Patent Document 4 discloses an illumination technology,that is, an illumination device that obtains illumination light bymixing light in a first wavelength band and light in a second wavelengthband. Specifically, a light source that emits the light in the firstwavelength band is a broad area type semiconductor laser, and theillumination device includes a high-frequency wave superimposing meansfor superimposing a high-frequency signal on a driving current that issupplied to the semiconductor laser, and causing the semiconductor laserto perform multimode oscillation, whereby illumination light without aspeckle interference noise can be stably obtained.

In addition, Patent Document 5 discloses a technology for reducing theinfluence of the speckle noise on obtained image information by forminga light guide using a fiber bundle that is a bunch of a plurality ofoptical fibers having an optical path length difference equal to orgreater than the coherence length of excitation light, and by providinga noise reduction device including the fiber bundle.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-136396

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-583

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Translation ofPCT Application) No. 2005-515818

Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-42153

Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-43493

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

Although various technologies have been developed as the imagingtechnologies with the use of optical techniques, since the technology ofPatent Document 3 is the laser doppler device for observing thefrequency shift, it has the following problem: the operation of thelaser doppler device is slow, a special skill is required to use thelaser doppler device, and the interpretation of the obtained result isnot necessarily objective.

In addition, although the technologies of Patent Documents 4 and 5 cansuppress the speckle noise, these technologies cannot be applied to atechnology for performing imaging by advantageously utilizing thespeckle interference.

Therefore, the main object of the present technology is to provide ahighly accurate imaging technology that utilizes the speckleinterference.

Solutions to Problems

As a result of the intensive study to achieve the above-mentionedobject, the inventors of the present application have succeeded inimproving the accuracy and completed the present invention by focusingon the advantageous utilization of speckles which have been regarded asnoise in the field of imaging technology, and by using a plurality ofspeckles caused under different irradiation conditions.

Specifically, first, the present technology provides a speckle imagingdevice including: an irradiation condition setting unit that sets anirradiation condition for coherent light with which an imaging object isirradiated; an imaging unit that captures scattered light obtained fromthe imaging object irradiated with the coherent light; an imagegeneration unit that generates a speckle-enhanced image from a capturedimage captured by the imaging unit; and a leveling processing unit thatgenerates a leveled speckle image from speckle-enhanced imagescorresponding to two or more different irradiation conditions.

The speckle-enhanced image generated by the image generation unit of thespeckle imaging device according to the present invention can be animage mapped with a speckle contrast.

The irradiation condition that can be set by the irradiation conditionsetting unit of the speckle imaging device according to the presentinvention can be an irradiation angle and/or an irradiation position.

The speckle imaging device according to the present invention canfurther include an analysis unit that analyzes a state of the imagingobject on the basis of the leveled speckle image.

The imaging object for the speckle imaging device according to thepresent invention may include fluid.

In this case, the analysis unit can analyze a flow velocity of thefluid.

The fluid can be blood, for example.

The speckle imaging device according to the present invention canfurther include a light source unit that emits coherent light.

Second, the present invention provides a speckle imaging systemincluding at least: an irradiation condition setting unit that sets anirradiation condition for coherent light with which an imaging object isirradiated; an imaging unit that captures scattered light obtained fromthe imaging object irradiated with the coherent light; an imagegeneration unit that generates a speckle-enhanced image from a capturedimage captured by the imaging apparatus; and a leveling processing unitthat generates a leveled speckle image from speckle-enhanced imagescorresponding to two or more different irradiation conditions.

The speckle imaging system according to the present invention canfurther include an analysis unit that analyzes a state of the imagingobject on the basis of the leveled speckle image.

Furthermore, a light source that emits coherent light can further beincluded.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a speckle imaging method forperforming: an irradiation condition setting step of setting anirradiation condition for coherent light with which an imaging object isirradiated; an imaging step of capturing scattered light obtained fromthe imaging object irradiated with the coherent light; an imagegeneration step of generating a speckle-enhanced image from a capturedimage captured in the imaging step; and a leveling processing step ofgenerating a leveled speckle image from speckle-enhanced imagescorresponding to two or more different irradiation conditions.

The speckle imaging method according to the present invention canfurther include an analysis step of analyzing a state of the imagingobject on the basis of the leveled speckle image.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present technology, a highly accurate imagingtechnology that utilizes the speckle interference can be provided.

Note that the effects described herein are not necessarily limited, andany of the effects described in the present technology may be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic conceptual diagram schematically illustrating afirst embodiment of a speckle imaging device 1 according to the presenttechnology.

FIG. 2 is a drawing substitute photograph illustrating an exemplaryimage mapped with a speckle contrast and generated by an imagegeneration unit 13 from a captured image of a pseudo blood vessel withpseudo blood flow captured by the imaging unit 13.

FIG. 3 is drawing substitute photographs illustrating exemplary leveledspeckle images generated from speckle-enhanced images corresponding totwo or more different irradiation conditions with respect to the pseudoblood vessel with the pseudo blood flow.

FIG. 4 is a drawing substitute graph illustrating the relation betweenthe number of times of integration of speckle contrasts corresponding totwo or more different irradiation conditions and standard deviation ofspeckle contrasts.

FIG. 5 is a schematic conceptual diagram schematically illustrating asecond embodiment of the speckle imaging device 1 according to thepresent technology.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary speckle imaging that isperformed using the speckle imaging device 1 according to the presenttechnology.

FIG. 7 is a schematic conceptual diagram schematically illustrating anexemplary endoscope incorporating the speckle imaging device 1 accordingto the present technology.

FIG. 8 is a schematic conceptual diagram schematically illustrating aspeckle imaging system 10 according to the present technology.

FIG. 9 is a process chart for a speckle imaging method according to thepresent technology.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for implementing the presenttechnology will be described with reference to the drawings. Thefollowing embodiments indicate examples of representative embodiments ofthe present technology, and the scope of the present technology is notnarrowly interpreted due to these embodiments. Note that the descriptionwill be provided in the following order:

1. Speckle imaging device 1(1) Irradiation condition setting unit 11(2) Imaging unit 12(3) Image generation unit 13(4) Leveling processing unit 14(5) Analysis unit 15(6) Light source unit 16(7) Storage unit 17(8) Display unit 18(9) Imaging object O(10) Exemplary flow of speckle imaging(11) Exemplary endoscope incorporating the speckle imaging device2. Speckle imaging system 103. Speckle imaging method

<1. Speckle Imaging Device 1>

FIG. 1 is a schematic conceptual diagram schematically illustrating afirst embodiment of a speckle imaging device 1. The speckle imagingdevice 1 according to the present technology roughly includes anirradiation condition setting unit 11, an imaging unit 12, an imagegeneration unit 13, and a leveling processing unit 14. In addition, ananalysis unit 15, a light source unit 16, a storage unit 17, a displayunit 18, and the like can further be included as necessary. Eachcomponent will be described in detail below.

(1) Irradiation Condition Setting Unit 11

In the irradiation condition setting unit 11, an irradiation conditionfor coherent light with which an imaging object O is irradiated is set.The irradiation condition to be set by the irradiation condition settingunit 11 is not particularly limited as long as the effect of the presenttechnology is not impaired. For example, an irradiation angle to theimaging object O, an irradiation position on the imaging object O or thelike, or a combination thereof can be set.

The irradiation condition set by the irradiation condition setting unit11 is transmitted to a light irradiation condition changing mechanism162 in the light source unit 16 which will be described later, and thelight source unit 16 irradiates the imaging object O with light underthe set irradiation condition. The specific structure of the lightirradiation condition changing mechanism 162 is not particularly limitedas long as the effect of the present technology is not impaired, and oneor more types of known devices or instruments capable of changing thelight irradiation condition can be selected and freely combined. Forexample, a beam scanning means such as an acousto-optical device (AOD),a piezoelectric device, an electro-optical device, a MEMS mirror, and agalvano mirror, or adaptive optics such as a variable curvature mirrorcan be used.

In addition, for example, a collimating optical system instrumentincluding a fiber bundle or the like can be used. More specifically, theirradiation condition can be set by selecting one or more fibers in theincident end of the fiber bundle in accordance with the irradiationcondition, and introducing coherent light into the selected fiber. As amethod of introducing the coherent light into the selected fiber, forexample, the beam scanning means or the adaptive optics can be used.Alternatively, the coherent light can be introduced into the targetfiber by moving the collimating optical system instrument including thefiber bundle or the like. In addition, the coherent light can beintroduced into the target fiber using an optical switch such as anoptical type multiplexer (optical add/drop multiplexer) used in anoptical communication network such as a planar lightwave circuit.

(2) Imaging Unit 12

In the imaging unit 12, scattered light obtained from the imaging objectO irradiated with the coherent light is captured.

An imaging method to be implemented by the imaging unit 12 is notparticularly limited as long as the effect of the present technology isnot impaired, and one or more types of known imaging methods can beselected and freely combined for use. For example, an imaging methodusing an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor and acomplementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor can be employed.

(3) Image Generation Unit 13

In the image generation unit 13, a speckle-enhanced image is generatedfrom a captured image captured by the imaging unit 12. Since the speckleimaging device 1 according to the present technology is a technology foradvantageously utilizing speckles which have conventionally beenprocessed as noise, an image with enhanced speckles is generated in theimage generation unit 13.

The speckle-enhanced image generated by the image generation unit 13 maybe any image as long as imaging of interest can be performed. Forexample, the image generation unit 13 can generate an image mapped witha speckle contrast. In this case, the speckle contrast at the i-th pixelcan be expressed by the following mathematical formula (1).

$\begin{matrix}{\lbrack {{Mathematical}\mspace{14mu} {Formula}\mspace{14mu} 1} \rbrack \mspace{464mu}} & \; \\{{{Speckle}\mspace{14mu} {contrast}\mspace{14mu} {at}\mspace{14mu} i\text{-}{th}\mspace{14mu} {pixel}} = \frac{\begin{matrix}{{Standard}\mspace{14mu} {deviation}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {intensities}\mspace{14mu} {at}} \\{i\text{-}{th}\mspace{14mu} {and}\mspace{14mu} {surrounding}\mspace{14mu} {pixels}}\end{matrix}}{\begin{matrix}{{Average}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {intensities}\mspace{14mu} {at}\mspace{14mu} i\text{-}{th}} \\{{and}\mspace{14mu} {surrounding}\mspace{14mu} {pixels}}\end{matrix}}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

For example, FIG. 2 is an exemplary image mapped with the specklecontrast and generated by the image generation unit 13 from a capturedimage of a pseudo blood vessel with pseudo blood flow captured by theimaging unit 13. As illustrated in the exemplary image of FIG. 2, alarge number of speckles are observed in the part where blood does notflow (part without blood flow), and speckles are hardly observed in thepart where blood flows.

(4) Leveling Processing Unit 14

In the leveling processing unit 14, a leveled speckle image is generatedfrom speckle-enhanced images corresponding to two or more differentirradiation conditions.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, since the speckles are enhanced in thespeckle-enhanced image generated by the image generation unit 13, aboundary between the part where the speckles are generated and the partwhere no speckles are generated can be observed, but the speckle part isobserved as an uneven image. In this regard, the present technology hassucceeded in reducing the unevenness from the image of the speckle partby leveling speckle-enhanced images corresponding to two or moredifferent irradiation conditions.

A leveling processing method to be implemented by the levelingprocessing unit 14 is not particularly limited as long as the effect ofthe present technology is not impaired, and one or more types of knownleveling processing methods can be selected and freely combined for use.Examples of the leveling processing method include a method of levelingspeckle-enhanced images corresponding to two or more differentirradiation conditions through an averaging process, a method ofleveling speckle-enhanced images corresponding to two or more differentirradiation conditions through an integration process, and the like.

FIG. 3 is exemplary leveled speckle images generated fromspeckle-enhanced images corresponding to two or more differentirradiation conditions with respect to the pseudo blood vessel with thepseudo blood flow. The examples illustrated in FIG. 3 are exemplaryimages obtained by leveling speckle-enhanced images corresponding to twoor more different irradiation conditions through the integrationprocess. The respective images indicate exemplary leveled speckle imagesfor a case where the number of times of integration is 1 (no levelingprocess) and the number of times of integration is 2, 5, 20, 50, and100. In addition, FIG. 4 is a drawing substitute graph illustrating therelation between the number of times of integration of speckle contrastscorresponding to two or more different irradiation conditions andstandard deviation of speckle contrasts.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, as the number of times of integrationincreases, the unevenness is removed from the image of the speckle part,and a more easily observable image can be obtained.

(5) Analysis Unit 15

FIG. 5 is a schematic conceptual diagram schematically illustrating asecond embodiment of the speckle imaging device 1 according to thepresent technology. The speckle imaging device 1 according to the secondembodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 includes the analysis unit 15.

In the analysis unit 15, the state of the imaging object O is analyzedon the basis of the leveled speckle image leveled by the levelingprocessing unit 14. The analysis unit 15 is not indispensable to thespeckle imaging device 1 according to the present technology, and thestate of the imaging object O can be analyzed on the basis of theleveled speckle image leveled by the leveling processing unit 14 usingan external analysis device or the like.

For example, the position of the blood vessel, the blood flow velocity,and the like can be analyzed from the exemplary leveled imagesillustrated in FIG. 3.

(6) Light Source Unit 16

The speckle imaging device 1 according to the present technology canfurther include the light source unit 16 that emits coherent light. Thelight source unit 16 is not indispensable to the speckle imaging device1 according to the present technology, and the imaging object O can beirradiated with light using an external light source, for example.

The coherent light emitted from the light source unit 16 means that thephase relation between lightwaves at any two points in a light flux isinvariable and constant in terms of time, and even after the light fluxis split using any method, and a large optical path difference isprovided, the recombined light flux exhibits perfect coherence.

The type of coherent light to be emitted from the light source unit 16is not particularly limited as long as the effect of the presenttechnology is not impaired. Examples of the coherent light can includelaser light, LED light, and the like. As the light source unit 16 thatemits laser light, for example, one or more types of lasers such as anargon ion (Ar) laser, a helium-neon (He—Ne) laser, a dye laser, akrypton (Cr) laser, a semiconductor laser, or a solid-state laser whichis a combination of a semiconductor laser and a wavelength conversionoptical device can be freely combined for use.

The light source unit 16 roughly includes a light irradiation mechanism161 and the light irradiation condition changing mechanism 162. Sincethe specific configuration of the light irradiation condition changingmechanism 162 is as described above, the description thereof is omittedhere.

(7) Storage Unit 17

The speckle imaging device 1 according to the present technology canfurther include the storage unit 17 that stores the leveled speckleimage generated by the leveling processing unit 14 and the analysisresult provided by the analysis unit 15. The storage unit 17 is notindispensable to the speckle imaging device 1 according to the presenttechnique, and, for example, an external storage device can be connectedto store the leveled speckle image and the analysis result.

In the speckle imaging device 1 according to the present technology, thestorage unit 17 may be provided separately for each of the levelingprocessing unit 14 and the analysis unit 15, or the single storage unit17 can be designed to store the leveled speckle image generated and theanalysis result provided by the analysis unit 15.

(8) Display Unit 18

The speckle imaging device 1 according to the present technology canfurther include the display unit 18 that displays the leveled speckleimage generated by the leveling processing unit 14 and the analysisresult provided by the analysis unit 15. The display unit 18 is notindispensable to the speckle imaging device 1 according to the presenttechnology, and the imaging object O can be irradiated with light using,for example, an external monitor or the like.

In the speckle imaging device 1 according to the present technology, thedisplay unit 18 may be provided separately for each of the levelingprocessing unit 14 and the analysis unit 15, or the single display unit18 can be designed to display the leveled speckle image generated andthe analysis result provided by the analysis unit 15.

(9) Imaging Object O

The speckle imaging device 1 according to the present technology can beintended for various objects, and it can be suitably used for imaging anobject including fluid, for example. Due to the property of speckles,fluid has the property of hardly generating speckles. Therefore, anobject including fluid is imaged using the speckle imaging device 1according to the present technology, whereby a boundary between thefluid and the other part, the flow velocity of the fluid, and the likecan be obtained.

More specifically, the imaging object O can be a living body, and thefluid can be blood. For example, if the speckle imaging device 1according to the present technology is mounted on a surgical microscope,a surgical endoscope or the like, surgery can be performed while theposition of a blood vessel is confirmed. Therefore, it is possible toperform more safe and accurate surgery, and contribute to the furtherdevelopment of the medical technology.

(10) Exemplary Flow of Speckle Imaging

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary speckle imaging that isperformed using the speckle imaging device 1 according to the presenttechnology. Hereinafter, an exemplary flow will be described intime-series order.

(a) Setting Irradiation Condition (S1)

First, an irradiation condition is set by the irradiation conditionsetting unit 11.

(b) Light Irradiation (S2)

Next, in accordance with the irradiation condition set by theirradiation condition setting unit 11, the imaging object O isirradiated with coherent light.

(c) Imaging (S3)

Next, scattered light obtained from the illuminated object irradiatedwith the light is captured by the imaging unit 12.

(d) Image Generation (S4)

A speckle-enhanced image is generated by the image generation unit 13from the captured image.

(e) Counting the Number of Times of Imaging (S5)

The number of times that the imaging has been performed by the imagingunit 12 is counted. In a case where the target number of times has notbeen reached, the process returns to (a) Setting irradiation condition(S1), where an irradiation condition different from the previousirradiation condition is set. Then, (b) Light irradiation (S2), (c)Imaging (S3), and (d) Image generation (S4) are repeated in this orderin a similar manner. In a case where the number of times of imaging hasreached the target number of times, the process advances to (f) Levelingprocess (S6) below.

(f) Leveling Process (S6)

A leveled speckle image is generated by the leveling processing unit 14from a plurality of speckle-enhanced images generated so that the numberof speckle-enhanced images is equal to the target number of times.

(g) Analysis (S7)

In a case where the analysis unit 15 is provided in the speckle imagingdevice 1 according to the present technology, the state analysis isperformed after the leveling process (S6).

(h) Viewer Output (S8)

The leveled speckle image generated by the leveling processing unit 14and the analysis result obtained through the state analysis (S7) areoutput to a viewer.

(i) Storage (S9)

Then, the leveled speckle image generated by the leveling processingunit 14 and the analysis result obtained through the state analysis (S7)are stored, whereby the sequential flow is finished.

(11) Exemplary Endoscope Incorporating the Speckle Imaging Device

FIG. 7 is a schematic conceptual diagram schematically illustrating anexemplary endoscope incorporating the speckle imaging device 1 accordingto the present technology.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, light from the light irradiationmechanism 161 is collimated by a collimating optical system (such as alens), deflected by an acousto-optical device (AOD) operated by adriver, and connected to a light guide connector. The light from thecollimating optical system passes through the light guide connector andis collected within the core diameter of one fiber in the incident endof the fiber bundle in the light guide cable. The incident light passesthrough the endoscope and is radiated to the imaging object O (forexample, a living body) in a viewing angle direction through anobjective lens.

In this case, the deflection angle is changed by changing an input RFfrequency to the AOD, whereby the incident fiber in the fiber bundle canbe changed. Consequently, the emission angle and position of theillumination light emitted from the objective lens can be activelychanged. More specifically, a timing trigger is input to the AOD by theirradiation condition setting unit 11, and a timing trigger to an imageris input after an appropriate delay time. After one frame isphotographed, a timing trigger is input to the AOD again by theirradiation condition setting unit 11 so that light is introduced toanother fiber position. This operation is successively repeated, wherebyimage data at each fiber position can be acquired. On this occasion,two-dimensional scanning is also enabled by arranging AODs in twodirections orthogonal to a deflection direction.

Scattered light obtained from the imaging object O irradiated with thelight is acquired as an image by the imager via a relay lens, aspeckle-enhanced image is generated by the image generation unit 13 inthe CPU, and speckle-enhanced images corresponding to two or moredifferent irradiation conditions are leveled by the leveling processingunit 14. Consequently, the speckle contrast or its spatial image isdisplayed, whereby observation of a deep part in the vicinity ofepidermis such as intravascular blood flow in the living body (imagingobject O) is enabled, and the blood flow velocity thereof can begrasped.

<2. Speckle Imaging System 10>

FIG. 8 is a schematic conceptual diagram schematically illustrating aspeckle imaging system 10 according to the present technology. Thespeckle imaging device 1 according to the present technology roughlyincludes an irradiation condition setting unit 110, an imaging unit 120,an image generation unit 130, and a leveling processing unit 140. Inaddition, an analysis unit 150, a light source 160, a server 170, adisplay unit 180, and the like can further be included as necessary.Note that since the irradiation condition setting unit 110, the imagingunit 120, the image generation unit 130, the leveling processing unit140, the analysis unit 150, the light source 160, the server 170, andthe display unit 180 are respectively the same as the irradiationcondition setting unit 11, the imaging unit 12, the image generationunit 13, the leveling processing unit 14, the analysis unit 15, thelight source unit 16, the storage unit 17, and the display unit 18 ofthe speckle imaging device 1 according to the present technologydescribed above, the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In the speckle imaging system 10 according to the present technology,each component may exist as an independent device, or a plurality ofcomponents may exist as a single device as can be seen, for example, inan information processing device including the image generation unit 130and the leveling processing unit 140 illustrated in FIG. 8. In addition,a part or all of the components or devices can be connected via anetwork.

<3. Speckle Imaging Method>

FIG. 9 is a process chart for a speckle imaging method according to thepresent technology. The speckle imaging method according to the presenttechnology is a method of performing steps roughly including irradiationcondition setting step I, imaging step II, image generation step III,and leveling processing step IV. In addition, analysis step V, lightirradiation step VI, storage step VII, display step VIII, and the likecan further be performed as necessary.

Note that since irradiation condition setting step I, imaging step II,image generation step III, leveling processing step IV, analysis step V,light irradiation step VI, storage step VII, and display step VIII arethe same as the respective procedures that are performed by theirradiation condition setting unit 11, the imaging unit 12, the imagegeneration unit 13, the leveling processing unit 14, the analysis unit15, the light source unit 16, the storage unit 17, and the display unit18 of the speckle imaging device 1 according to the present technologydescribed above, the descriptions thereof are omitted here.

Note that although storage step VII is performed after analysis step Vand before display step VIII in the description of FIG. 9, theprocessing order is not limited to this example. In a case where theleveled speckle image generated in leveling processing step IV isstored, storage step VII can be performed after leveling processing stepIV. In addition, in a case where all the items such as the condition setin irradiation condition setting step I, the image captured in imagingstep II, and the image generated in image generation step III are alsostored, storage step VII can be repeated after each of these steps.

Moreover, although display step VIII is performed after storage step VIIin the description of FIG. 9, the processing order is not limited tothis example. In a case where the leveled speckle image generated inleveling processing step IV is displayed, display step VIII can beperformed after leveling processing step IV. In addition, in a casewhere all the items such as the condition set in irradiation conditionsetting step I, the image captured in imaging step II, and the imagegenerated in image generation step III are also displayed, display stepVIII can be repeated after each of these steps. Note that the presenttechnology can also be configured as follows.

(1) A speckle imaging device including:

an irradiation condition setting unit that sets an irradiation conditionfor coherent light with which an imaging object is irradiated;

an imaging unit that captures scattered light obtained from the imagingobject irradiated with the coherent light;

an image generation unit that generates a speckle-enhanced image from acaptured image captured by the imaging unit; and

a leveling processing unit that generates a leveled speckle image fromspeckle-enhanced images corresponding to two or more differentirradiation conditions.

(2) The speckle imaging device according to (1), in which

the speckle-enhanced image is an image mapped with a speckle contrast.

(3) The speckle imaging device according to (1) or (2), in which

the irradiation condition is an irradiation angle and/or an irradiationposition.

(4) The speckle imaging device according to any of (1) to (3), furtherincluding an analysis unit that analyzes a state of the imaging objecton the basis of the leveled speckle image.

(5) The speckle imaging device according to any of (1) to (4), in which

the imaging object includes fluid.

(6) The speckle imaging device according to (4), in which

the imaging object includes fluid, and

a flow velocity of the fluid is analyzed in the analysis unit.

(7) The speckle imaging device according to (5), in which

the fluid is blood.

(8) The speckle imaging device according to any of (1) to (7), furtherincluding a light source unit that emits coherent light.

(9) A speckle imaging system including at least:

an irradiation condition setting unit that sets an irradiation conditionfor coherent light with which an imaging object is irradiated;

an imaging unit that captures scattered light obtained from the imagingobject irradiated with the coherent light;

an image generation unit that generates a speckle-enhanced image from acaptured image captured by the imaging apparatus; and

a leveling processing unit that generates a leveled speckle image fromspeckle-enhanced images corresponding to two or more differentirradiation conditions.

(10) The speckle imaging system according to (9), further including ananalysis unit that analyzes a state of the imaging object on the basisof the leveled speckle image.

(11) The speckle imaging system according to (9) or (10), furtherincluding a light source that emits coherent light.

(12) A speckle imaging method for performing:

an irradiation condition setting step of setting an irradiationcondition for coherent light with which an imaging object is irradiated;

an imaging step of capturing scattered light obtained from the imagingobject irradiated with the coherent light;

an image generation step of generating a speckle-enhanced image from acaptured image captured in the imaging step; and

a leveling processing step of generating a leveled speckle image fromspeckle-enhanced images corresponding to two or more differentirradiation conditions.

(13) The speckle imaging method according to (12), for furtherperforming an analysis step of analyzing a state of the imaging objecton the basis of the leveled speckle image.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 Speckle imaging device-   11 Irradiation condition setting unit-   12 Imaging unit-   13 Image generation unit-   14 Leveling processing unit-   15 Analysis unit-   16 Light source unit-   17 Storage unit-   18 Display unit-   O Imaging object-   10 Speckle imaging system-   110 Irradiation condition setting unit-   120 Imaging unit-   130 Image generation unit-   140 Leveling processing unit-   150 Analysis unit-   160 Light source-   170 Server-   180 Display unit-   I Irradiation condition setting step-   II Imaging step-   III Image generation step-   IV Leveling processing step-   V Analysis step-   VI Light irradiation step-   VII Storage step-   VIII Display step

1. An image processing system, comprising: an irradiation unitconfigured to irradiate an object with coherent light; an imaging unitconfigured to capture at least two images of the object with differentirradiation conditions; an acquisition unit configured to acquire thecaptured at least two images; a leveling processing unit configured togenerate a leveled speckle image from the captured at least two images;and an output unit configured to output the leveled speckle image.
 2. Animage processing apparatus, comprising: an acquisition unit configuredto acquire a plurality of images of an imaging object, wherein theplurality of images is captured based on at least two differentirradiation conditions; a leveling processing unit configured togenerate a leveled speckle image from the plurality of images; and anoutput unit configured to output the leveled speckle image.
 3. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the irradiationconditions includes irradiation angles or irradiation positions.
 4. Theimage processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the imagingobject includes fluid.
 5. The image processing apparatus according toclaim 4, wherein the fluid is blood.
 6. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the image processing apparatus is mountedon one of a surgical microscope or a surgical endoscope.
 7. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising ananalysis unit that analyzes a state of the imaging object based on theleveled speckle image.
 8. The image processing apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein the imaging object includes fluid, and wherein a flowvelocity of the fluid is analyzed in the analysis unit.
 9. The imageprocessing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a lightsource unit that emits coherent light.
 10. An image processing method,comprising: in an information processing apparatus: acquiring, by anacquisition unit, a plurality of images captured based on at least twodifferent irradiation conditions; generating, by a leveling processingunit, a leveled speckle image from the plurality of images; andoutputting, by an output unit, the leveled speckle image.
 11. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon,computer-executable instructions, which when executed by an imageprocessing apparatus, cause the image processing apparatus to executeoperations, the operations comprising: acquiring a plurality of imagescaptured based on at least two different irradiation conditions;generating a leveled speckle image from the plurality of images; andoutputting the leveled speckle image.